The Voice STAR GAZERS AND NAVEL YOUR 2018 CHURCH ENVELOPES ARE HERE. A Note from Pastor Hillmer

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1 The Voice St. John s Lutheran Church Serving the Lord for 113 years January 2018 STAR GAZERS AND NAVEL Neither phrase has idiomatic meaning that is naturally positive... Still, in the most profound sense of the word, Advent turned Christmas is the season of Star gazing. It has been said that the wise still seek Him- Some would contest that. Perhaps it is not the Wise but the Simple, but then is it not possible that the simplest is the most wise? To follow the Star means to lift ones eyes to that which is beyond our own navel- beyond our own selves beyond even that which is considered to be of this world. It is to see that which is beyond such- It is to confess with a sage of our own age: "I have come to believe," this certain world renowned scientist confessed, "there is nothing in or of this world which explains this 'world'." (Continued on page 2) A Note from Pastor Hillmer Under the rubric of Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, I would like to thank the couple who paid for my lunch at The Village on Wednesday 13 December. I had just ordered my usual lunch when my waitress appeared with $8 and said, This is the balance of the amount someone left to pay for your lunch. What? Who? I asked. They didn t say. She answered. Where are they? They re gone. She got an $8 tip, Renee, my secretary got the French Silk Pie, and I had a lilt in my step (no easy matter) as I left. Thank you, whoever you are, Anonymous Members of St. John s, I trow. You made my day. If you reveal yourself to me I will give you a holy kiss. YOUR 2018 CHURCH ENVELOPES ARE HERE Please pick up your envelope in the narthex.

2 Page 2 (Continued on page 1) The Star of Christmas is the reminder that this something has entered our sphere of existence and this sphere, and this existence, has never since been the same. CHILD OF GOD: Lift your eyes to that Star once again, as pilgrims throughout the centuries have. Experience the thrill and the peace and the joy that comes with being so lifted-- beyond navels, beyond selves, beyond everything else which has its origins in the realm we call our own. HE HAS COME!!! THE CHRIST CHILD IS BORN!!! And the Star shines once again visible to all who in faith will lift their eyes to see. STAR GAZERS! CHILDREN OF GOD! It is Advent turning Christmas once again! Lift up your eyes, and CELEBRATE! THIS IS YOUR SEASON! PRAYER CHAIN It is time to add new people to our Prayer Chain. The Prayer Chain Passes on information regarding people s concerns. The concerns maybe regarding: illness, deaths, test results and emotional stress, finial and spiritual needs. Many times there is a prayer request for thanksgiving or celebrations also. Prayers to the Lord does make a difference. There are currently 20 people on Prayer Chain. And we would like to add many more people. When people know they are being prayed for they feel up lifted, cared for and secure. The Prayer Chain involves only notifying the next person or 2 on the list. Remember Jesus said, And in all things, whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. And may God shower blessing on your days. Please see Linnea Kment at church or call her at if you have questions or you are interested. Please pray fully while you consider joining the Prayer Chain. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You From Missions The Voice On behalf of all the Missions teams at St. John's (which includes Missions, Outreach, Youth, Sunday School, etc) we would like to thank you for your tremendous support during the past year. Some of programs which you supported during 2017 include Mn Adult and Teen Challenge, Options for Women (baby bottle boomerang), Family Pathways (clothing drive, school supply drive, Pajama Pride, food pantry, etc.), Minnesota Food Share (Pack the Pews), Gideons, Feed My Starving Children (three times), Red Cross Blood Drives (two times), Youth Reach Work Camp, Adopt an Angel, Christmas Tree, Food Baskets, Pastor's Discretionary Fund, and many others. Again, we and those who we have reached out to during the past year say Thank You. Scheduled for the near future are the following: Red Cross Blood Drive at St. John's on February 13 th from 1:00 7:00pm. Missions will team with Evangelism. Mn Adult and Teen Challenge choir will be at St. John's on February 18 th, both services with lunch served to them following the 9:30am service. Missions will team with Outreach to host this event. Feed My Starving Children food packing session in Coon Rapids on February 24 th from 4:30 6:30pm. Missions will team with Youth and the Sunday School (not yet confirmed) on this event. Please look for additional information for each of these events in February's Voice and in future Sunday bulletins. Contact Harvey Berg at if you would like more information at this time.

3 The Voice Page 3 WE WISH EACH ONE OF YOU A BLESSED DAY AND PRAY THAT GOD WILL BLESS YOU THROUGHOUT THE YEAR JANUARY WILLING WORKERS FOR CHRIST 8 AM SERVICES GREETERS 07 Dewaine & Joyce Hischer 14 Jim & Cindy Johnson & Kids Warren & Gloria Westlund READERS 07 Nancy Nelson 14 Bill Pohl Anne Schiller USHERS 07 Terry Linroth & Ken Waha 14 Duane & Nancy Nelson Kirk & Lori Dahle LAY-SHEPHERD 07 Linnea Kment 14 Mike Kment Corky Peterson COUNCIL PERSON ON DUTY FELLOWSHIP HOST ACOLYTE 8 AM ACOLYTE 9:30 AM Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38 9:30 SERVICES GREETERS 07 Chris Frost 14 Jim & Cindy Johnson & Kids Karol Krier & Judy Freerks READERS 07 Linda Olson 14 Steve Ford Fritz Wheatley USHERS 07 Chris Frost & Deb Anderson 14 Joan Kaiser & John Rice Theo & Tyler Patrin LAY-SHEPHERD 07 Linda Welch 14 Joan Kaiser Cheryl Shanahan ALTAR GUILD Set Up Clean Up Set Up Clean Up 07 Cindy Johnson Louise Wilmer 14 Loreen Beckett Sharon Jaworski 21 Nancy Charpentier Evelyn Dockham Cindy Johnson John Rice ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING Please note that the Annual Congregation Meeting has been changed to Sunday, February 11, at 10:30 am this year. Copies of the Annual Report will be available in the narthex for parishioners to take home and review prior to the meeting by January 15. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

4 7 Guest Speakers Brad & Julie Samuelson Bell Choir Practice 10:30 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 14 Blue Grass Family Band Sarah Mae & the Birkeland Boys Bell Choir Practice 10:30 21 Youth Sunday & Potluck Bell Choir Practice 10:30 Bell Choir Practice 10:30 1 Office Closed Happy New Year 8 Chris. Outreach 6PM Missions 7 PM 15 Chris. Ed. 6 PM 7 PM 2 Evangelism 7PM 9 Master Key 7 PM 16 Kitchen Cleaning Noon Master Key 7 PM Master Key 7 PM Master Key 7 PM Worship & Music 6 PM Fiber Arts 7 PM 11 Fiber Arts 7 PM Pastor Hillmer Vacation 18 Fiber Arts 7 PM 25 Fiber Arts 7 PM 5 6 Faith Formation & 7 Grade Retreat Page 4 The Voice St. John s January 2018

5 The Voice Page 5 SARAH MAE & the Birkeland Boys Stir Your Soul with Homegrown Minnesota Gospel & Bluegrass Music Sunday, January 14, 8:00 a.m. & 9:30 a.m. A big thank you goes to all of our Sunday School and Preschool teachers and staff who worked so hard on this year s children s Christmas programs. The performances were cute, meaningful and well attended. St. John s has been truly blessed by the dedication and commitment of our staff & volunteers. Thanks! PLEASE SIGN UP FOR FELLOWSHIP We need help with the morning fellowship. We need people to make the coffee and bring the treat. If you can help please sign your name on the clipboard that is passed around during services. Cupcake and Holiday Treat Fundraiser I am going to feel like an Oscar winner with my speech as I am going to be afraid I will miss someone and the music will start playing louder as my time runs out. We made $500 on the cupcake fundraiser and $720 on our Holiday Treat fundraiser! God is good. I need to thank the people that helped me organize the fundraisers: Kim Anderson, Karol Krier, Dave Nelson and Kim Schmidt. To the people who helped us set up and take down, Norm & Kyle Anderson and Alicia Erkenbrack, our backs thank you so much. The people that donated the beautiful (and delicious) cupcakes and holiday treats and all the people who purchased (and enjoyed) these goodies. I look forward to these fundraisers for years to come and watching them grow throughout the years. Thank you all... Vickey Nelson

6 Page 6 SCRAPBOOK & CRAFTING WEEKEND Feb 2 nd & 3 rd. If you are interested in attending or for more information. Contact Teresa Humble please leave a message. CONFIRMATION RETREAT All Confirmation students in grades 6 & 7 are required to attend a retreat on Saturday, January 6th from 9 am-3 pm at St. John s. It will be a day of learning About Prayer. We look forward to seeing you all then! YOUTH SUNDAY & POTLUCK The Voice January 2018 Faith Formation News Attention 3 rd, 4 th and 6 th Graders and Parents: Expect a letter in December outlining the following learning activities scheduled for January 2018: Third Grade: Study the Worship Service with Parents. There will be time allowed on Sundays for both parents and their third graders to observe the Worship service to learn about the elements of the Lutheran Worship service and to participate in the services. Fourth Grade: Study the Gospel of Mark with Parents. The parents of fourth graders will be contacted and meet with Pastor Mary Ellen to learn together with 18 devotional readings of the Gospel of Mark. Sixth Grade: Study Prayer. A retreat on prayer is scheduled on Saturday January 6 from 9 AM 3 PM at St John s. Any questions, please call Pastor Mary Ellen. FAITHWEAVERS Faithweaver classes resume on Wednesday, January 3rd at 6:30 pm. New students, grades Kindergarten 6th, are always welcome. January 21 st. The youth will be leading all of our worship services that day. If you are participating you must arrive prior to 8 am. Also, please bring a dish to share and join the youth as they celebrate Kathy s retirement as Youth Director. FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST Christian Outreach will be holding their next fellowship breakfast on Sunday, January 7th, between services until food runs out. Through the generosity of our congregation, many families received Christmas gifts from the Outreach Giving Tree. What a beautiful testament to the love of Christ! SPECIAL THANKS We extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the choirs here at St. John s: The Senior Choir, Bell Choir, Youth Choir and the Contemporary Choir. Throughout the past year, they have provided us with beautiful music for our worship services. In particular, thanks to our organist, Lynne Graber, for putting together this year s choir concert, and to the Senior, Youth and Bell Choirs for all of their work in preparing for the Christmas Choral Service.

7 The Voice Page 7 St. John s Lutheran Church Financial Report October2017 Budget Offerings (5 Sundays) $ 17, Actual Offerings Received $ 13, Offering Budget Shortage (-) ( $ 4,061.00) Office Expense $ Postage $ Worship Supplies $ Ins. Bldg Liability $ Payroll Service Fee s $ Administrative Exp. $ 1, Excel Electric $ Excel Gas $ City Water & Trash $ Custodial Supplies Misc. $ Building Repair & Maintenance $ Building Expenses $ 1, Employee Salaries $ 10, Visiting Pastors $ 0.00 Work Comp Ins. $ Total Salaries $ 10, Christian Outreach $ Total Expenses $ 14, End of Month Total (-) ($ 1,765.00) (offerings minus expenses) Check Book Balance $ 47, Liabilities $ 0.00 Actual Cash Balance $ 47, Dedicated Accounts Balance $ 16, Church Account Balance $ 30, General Offering Balance Year to Date (-) ($ 6,546.00) If you have any questions regarding this report, please call Patha Vue Treasurer at (651) Thank You! St. John s Lutheran Church Financial Report November 2017 Budget Offerings (4 Sundays) $ 13, Actual Offerings Received $ 13, Offering Budget Shortage (-) ($ ) Office Expense $ Postage $ Worship Supplies $ Confirmation $ Sunday School $ Advertising & Evangelism $ Legal & Accounting $ Computer Operation $ Worship & Music $ 9.00 Payroll Service Fee s $ Administrative Exp. $ 2, Excel Electric $ 0.00 Excel Gas $ 0.00 City Water & Trash $ Custodial Supplies Misc. $ Building Repair & Maintenance $ Building Expenses $ 1, Employee Salaries $ 11, Visiting Pastors $ 0.00 Work Comp Ins. $ 0.00 Total Salaries $ 11, Christian Outreach $ Total Expenses $ 14, End of Month Total (-) ($ 1,765.00) (offerings minus expenses) Check Book Balance $ 43, Liabilities $ 0.00 Actual Cash Balance $ 43, Dedicated Accounts Balance $ 17, Church Account Balance $ 26, General Offering Balance Year to Date (-) ($ 8,015.00) BAPTISM We join with parents Michael & Tammy Merrell and godparents Mark Merrell and Michelle Mullin Kerfvliet in the joy of baptizing their son, Noah James Merrell. In Holy Baptism, God claims each of us as a child of his own,

8 Page 8 The Voice OUR LORD WAS PRAISED YOUTH GROUP Youth Group is looking for a new Youth Director. If you are interested please contact Teresa Humble or the office at Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Super Bowl Pizza Youth will be taking pre-orders for Super Bowl Pizza. Order forms will be on information table in the narthex. Pizzas are $9.00 a piece or 3 for $ Pizzas will be ready for pick up Feb 4th. YOUTH CHOIR Youth Choir resumes on January 3rd at 6 pm. New voices are always welcome. Please join us! The turnout at our Little Angel Preschool Christmas Program was staggering! We had parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends attend. It warmed our hearts to see church members attend and even jump in and help us host. The children were very brave performing for everyone and did a great job praising our Lord. Thank you to everyone who participated in our book fair and craft sale, which was also a great success Church Envelopes are here Prayer Chain needs you Annual Congregation Meeting moves Blue Grass Concert Please sign up for Fellowship Confirmation Retreat Inside This Issue: Pastor Mary Ellen Steinkraus Cell: Pastor Mark Hillmer Cell: Church Office: Return Service Requested St John s Lutheran Church P. O. Box Genesis Ave. Stacy, MN The Voice of St. John s Non-Profit Organization Postage Paid, Permit #3 Stacy, MN 55079